Pulse Output Circuit, Shift Register and Display Device

ABSTRACT

A pulse is inputted to TFTs  101  and  104  so that the TFTs would turn ON and then potential of a node α rises. When the potential of the node α reaches (VDD−VthN), the node α became in a floating state. Accordingly, a TFT  105  then turns ON, and potential of an output node rises as a clock signal reaches the level H. On the other hand, potential of a gate electrode of the TFT  105  further rises due to an operation of capacitance  107  as the potential of the output node rises, so that the potential of the output node would be higher than (VDD+VthN). Thus, the potential of the output node rises to VDD without voltage drop caused by a threshold of the TFT  105.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/816,124, filed Aug. 3, 2015, now allowed, which is a continuation ofU.S. application Ser. No. 14/332,468, filed Jul. 16, 2014, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,105,520, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/604,709, filed Sep. 6, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,786,533, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/575,642, filed Oct. 8,2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,264,445, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/420,404, filed May 25, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No.7,710,384, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/127,600, filed Apr. 23, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,057,598, whichclaims the benefit of a foreign priority application filed in Japan asSerial No. 2001-141347 on May 11, 2001, all of which are incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a pulse output circuit, a shiftregister and a display device. In this specification, it is defined thata display device includes a liquid crystal display device in whichliquid crystal elements are used as pixels and a spontaneous luminousdisplay device in which spontaneous luminous elements such aselectro-luminescence (EL) elements are used. It is also defined that adrive circuit of the display device is a circuit for inputting an imagesignal into a pixel disposed in the display device to carry out aprocess of displaying an image and includes a pulse output circuit suchas shift register and inverter and an amplification circuit such asamplifier.

Description of the Related Art

Recently, a display device in which a semiconductor thin film is formedon an insulating material, especially on a glass plate, particularly anactive matrix type of display device using a thin film transistor(referred to as a TFT, hereinafter) has been popular. The active matrixtype of display device using TFTs contains hundred thousands to millionsof pixels arranged in the shape of a matrix and displays an image bycontrolling an electric charge of each pixel by means of a TFT disposedin each pixel.

Further, as a recent technology, there has been a technology developed,which relates to, other than a pixel TFT forming a pixel, a poly-siliconTFT in which a TFT is used in a peripheral area of a pixel portion tosimultaneously form a drive circuit. This technology greatly contributesto downsizing and consumed power reducing of a device. Accordingly, adisplay device is an essential device to a display part of a mobileinformation terminal whose application field has been significantlyincreased recently.

CMOS circuit, which is produced by combining an N-channel type of TFTand a P-channel type of TFT, is generally used as a circuit, which formsa drive circuit of a display device. Now a shift register will bedescribed as an example of the CMOS circuit conventionally used ingeneral. FIG. 11A illustrates an example of a shift registerconventionally used and a part enclosed by a dotted line frame 1100 is acircuit for outputting one stage of pulses. In FIG. 11A, three stages ofpulses are extracted to be shown. One stage of a circuit comprisesclocked inverters 1101 and 1103 and an inverter 1102. A detailedstructure of the circuit is shown in FIG. 11B. In FIG. 11B, the clockedinverter 1101 comprises TFTs 1104 to 1107; the inverter 1102 comprisesTFTs 1108 and 1109; and the clocked inverter 1103 comprises TFTs 1110 to1113.

The TFTs forming a circuit includes three electrodes of a gateelectrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode. Generally, in theCMOS circuit, the N-channel type of TFT often uses a lower potentialpart as the source electrode and a higher potential part as the drainelectrode, while the P-channel type of TFT often uses a higher potentialpart as the source electrode and a lower potential part as the drainelectrode. Thus, one of the source electrode and the drain electrode isreferred to as a first electrode and the other is referred to as asecond electrode in order to prevent confusion in describing connectionof TFTs in this specification.

An operation of the circuit will be now described. As for an operationof a TFT, a conductive condition where a channel is formed betweenimpurity regions when potential is given to a gate electrode is referredto as ON, while a non-conductive condition where the channel betweenimpurity regions are erased is referred to as OFF.

Refer to a timing chart shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C. A clock signal(referred to as a CK, hereinafter) and a clock reverse signal (referredto as a CKB, hereinafter) are respectively inputted to the TFTs 1107 and1104. A start pulse (referred to as a SP, hereinafter) is inputted tothe TFTs 1105 and 1106. When the CK is at an level H, the CKB is at alevel L and the SP is at the level H, the TFTs 1106 and 1107 turn ON, anoutput at the level L is inputted into an inverter comprising the TFTs1108 and 1109 and reversed to be outputted at the level H to an outputnode (SR out 1). Then, when the CK reaches the level L and the CKBreaches the level H while the SP is at the level H, a holding operationis taken in a loop comprising an inverter 1102 and a clocked inverter1103. Thus, an output at the level H is continuously outputted to theoutput node. Next, when the CK reaches the level H and the CKB reachesthe level L, a writing operation is taken in the clocked inverter 1101again. An output at the level L is outputted to the output node since,the SP has already reached to the level L at that time. After this, whenthe CK reaches the level L and the CKB reaches the level H, the holdingoperation is taken again. The level L in the output node is held in theloop comprising the inverter 1102 and the clocked inverter 1103.

The above is an operation for one stage. Connection of the CK and theCKB is contrary in a subsequent stage, so that the polarity of the clocksignal would be contrary to the above while an operation would besimilar. The above is repeated alternately, and a sampling pulse issimilarly outputted in order as shown in FIG. 11C thereafter.

A characteristic of a CMOS circuit is that it is possible to keep theconsumed current down in the circuit as a whole since electric currentflows only at a moment that logic is changed (from the level H to thelevel L, or from the level L to the level H) and does not flow whilecertain logic is held (although there is minute leak current inpractice).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Demand for a display device using liquid crystal or spontaneous luminouselements is rapidly increasing as a mobile electronic apparatus isdownsized and lightened in weight. It is difficult, however, to keep amanufacturing cost of the display device down sufficiently in view of ayield. It is easily forecasted that a future demand would more rapidlyincrease, and therefore, supply of a display device at a low price isdesired.

A general method for forming a drive circuit on an insulating materialis to perform exposure and etching of a pattern such as an activationlayer and a wiring by means of plural photo-masks to form the circuit.The number of processes in manufacturing is ideally as few as possiblesince it directly influences a manufacturing cost. When the drivecircuit conventionally comprising a CMOS circuit can be formed only bymeans of conductive TFTs, which are either one of the N-channel type orthe P-channel type, a part of an ion-doping process can be omitted aswell as the number of photo-masks can be reduced.

FIG. 9A illustrates an example of a CMOS inverter (I) conventionallyused in general and inverters (II) and (III) comprising singleconductive TFTs. (II) is a TFT load type of an inverter and (III) is aresistance load type of an inverter. Respective operations will bedescribed hereinafter.

FIG. 9B shows a waveform of a signal to be inputted to an inverter. Theamplitude of an input signal is here defined to be VDD−VSS (VSS<VDD). Itis assumed here that VSS=0[V].

An operation of a circuit will be described. The threshold voltage of anN type of TFTs composing the circuit is assumed to be uniform (VthN)without any dispersion for the purpose of clear and simple description.Similarly, the threshold voltage of a P type of TFTs is also assumed tobe uniform (VthP).

When a signal as shown in FIG. 9B is inputted to a CMOS inverter (I), inthe case that potential of the inputted signal is at the level H, a Ptype of a TFT 901 turns OFF and an N type of a TFT 902 turns ON. Therebypotential of an output node reaches the level L. To the contrary, in thecase that the potential of the inputted signal is the level L, the Ptype of TFT 901 turns ON and the N type of TFT 902 turns OFF. Thereby,the potential of the output node, reaches the level H when (FIG. 9C).

An operation of the TFT load type of inverter (II) will be describedsubsequently. It is assumed that a signal as shown in FIG. 9B isinputted similarly to the above inverter. An N type of TFT 904 turns OFFwhen the inputted signal is at the level L. The potential of the outputnode is raised up toward the level H since a load TFT 903 alwaysoperates in saturation. On the other hand, the N type of TFT 904 turnsON when the inputted signal is at the level H. The potential of theoutput node is reduced toward the level L when the electric currentcapability of the N type of TFT 904 is set to be sufficiently higherthan that of the load TFT 903.

That is the case of the resistance load type of inverter (III). When anON resistance value of an N type of TFT 906 is set to be sufficientlylower than a resistance value of load resistance 905, the N type of TFT906 turns ON in the case that the inputted signal is at the level H, andthereby, the output node is reduced toward the level L. The N type ofTFT 906 turns OFF in the case that the inputted signal is at the levelL, so that the output node would be raised up toward the level H.

There are following problems, however, in using a TFT load type ofinverter (II) or a resistance load type of inverter (III). FIG. 9D showsan output waveform of a TFT load type of inverter (II). The potential islower than VDD for the amount shown by 907 when the output is at thelevel H. When it is defined that a terminal on an output node side is asource and a terminal on a power supply VDD side is drain in the loadTFT 903, the potential of a gate electrode is VDD since, the gateelectrode and a drain area are connected. The potential of the outputnode rises only up to VDD−VthN at most since the condition to keep ON ofthe load TFT is (Voltage between the gate and source of the TFT903>VthN). That is, 907 is equal to VthN. Furthermore, the potential maybe higher than VSS for the amount shown by 908 when the output potentialis the level L, depending on a rate of the electric current capabilityof the load TFT 903 and the N type TFT 904. The electric currentcapability of the N type TFT 904 should be sufficiently higher than thatof the load TFT 903 in order to make the potential, which is higher thanVSS, sufficiently close to VSS. FIG. 9E shows an output waveform of aresistance load type of inverter (III). Similarly to the above, thepotential may be higher for the amount shown by 909, depending on a rateof a resistance value of load resistance 905 and ON resistance of an Ntype of TFT 906. That is, using an inverter comprising only singleconductive TFTs shown here causes amplitude attenuation of an outputsignal with respect to amplitude of an input signal.

In the case of a circuit in which a preceding stage of output pulse isinputted to the subsequent stage, such as a shift register, amplitude isattenuated in accordance with a threshold value of a TFT as a stageincreases from the m, m+1, m+2, . . . , so that the circuit would notwork.

In view of the above problems, a purpose of the invention is to providea pulse output circuit and a shift register capable of manufacturing ata low cost by using only single conductive TFTs to reduce manufacturingprocesses and capable of obtaining an output without amplitudeattenuation.

A condition is considered such that amplitude of an output signal can benormally VDD−VSS in the above-mentioned TFT load type of inverter shownby (II) in FIG. 9A. First, when potential of an output signal reachesthe level L in a circuit shown in FIG. 10A, a resistance value betweenthe power supply VSS and the output node is only required to besufficiently low with respect to a resistance value between the powersupply VDD and the output node in order to make the potentialsufficiently close to VSS. That is, an N type, of TFT 1001 is onlyrequired to be OFF while an N type of TFT 1002 is ON. Second, anabsolute value of a voltage between a gate and a source of the N type ofTFT 1001 is only required to be always more than VthN for the purposethat the potential of an output signal is equal to VDD when thepotential reaches the level H. That is, the potential of a gateelectrode of the N type of TFT 1001 must be higher than (VDD+VthN) inorder to satisfy a condition that the level H of the output node is VDD.There are only two kinds of power supplied to the circuit: VDD and VSS.Thus, the above condition cannot be satisfied by a conventional methodas long as there is no third power supply whose potential is higher thanVDD.

In order to overcome the above, the following measures are taken in theinvention. As shown in FIG. 10B, a capacity means 1003 is providedbetween the gate and the source of the N type of TFT 1001. When thepotential of the output node is raised up at the time that the gateelectrode of the N type of TFT 1001 is in a floating state with certainpotential, the potential of the gate electrode of the N type of TFT 1001is also raised up in accordance with a rising amount of the potential ofthe output node due to capacity combination by the capacity means 1003.It is possible to make the potential of the gate electrode of the N typeof TFT 1001 higher than VDD (more accurately, higher than VDD+VthN) byusing the above effect. Therefore, it is possible to rise up thepotential of the output node to VDD sufficiently.

Capacity parasitizing between the gate and the source of the TFT 1001may be used as the capacity means 1003 shown in FIG. 10B, as well as acapacity means may be produced in practice. In the case of producing thecapacity means independently, it is easy and preferable to use any twoof an activation layer, a gate material and a wiring material tosandwich an insulating layer therebetween, but other materials may alsobe used.

Structures of the invention will be now descried.

The pulse output circuit according to the invention is a pulse outputcircuit comprising:

a first transistor having a first electrode electrically connected to afirst input signal line;

a second transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tofirst power supply;

a first amplitude compensation circuit;

-   -   a second amplitude compensation circuit; and    -   a capacitance,

wherein the first transistor and the second transistor have a sameconductive type,

a second electrode of the first transistor, a second electrode of thesecond transistor and a first terminal of the capacitance areelectrically connected to an output signal line,

a gate electrode of the first transistor is electrically connected to asecond terminal of the capacitance,

a gate electrode of the first transistor is electrically connected to anoutput portion of the first amplitude compensation circuit,

a gate electrode of the second transistor is electrically connected toan output portion of the second amplitude compensation circuit,

each of a second signal input portion and a third signal input portionis electrically connected to a first input portion and a second inputportion of the first amplitude compensation circuit, and

each of the second signal input portion and the third signal inputportion is electrically connected to a first input portion and a secondinput portion of the second amplitude compensation circuit.

The pulse output circuit according to the invention is a pulse outputcircuit comprising:

a first transistor having a first electrode electrically connected to afirst input signal line;

a second transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tofirst power supply;

an amplitude compensation circuit; and

a capacitance,

wherein the first transistor and the second transistor have a sameconductive type,

a second electrode of the first transistor, a second electrode of thesecond transistor and a first terminal of the capacitance areelectrically connected to an output signal line,

a gate electrode of the second transistor is electrically connected toan output portion of the second amplitude compensation circuit,

a gate electrode of the first transistor is electrically connected to anoutput portion of the amplitude compensation circuit,

each of a second signal input portion and a third signal input portionis electrically connected to a first input portion and a second inputportion of the amplitude compensation circuit, and

a gate electrode of the second transistor is electrically connected tothe third input signal line.

The pulse output circuit according to the invention is a pulse outputcircuit comprising:

a first transistor having a first electrode electrically connected to afirst input signal line;

a second transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tofirst power supply;

a third transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tosecond power supply;

a fourth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe first power supply;

a fifth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe second power supply;

a sixth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe first power supply; and

a capacitance,

wherein all the first to sixth transistors have a same conductive type,

a second electrode of the first transistor, a second electrode of thesecond transistor and a first terminal of the capacitance areelectrically connected to an output signal line,

a second electrode of the third transistor, a second electrode of thefourth transistor and a gate electrode of the first transistor areelectrically connected to a second terminal of the capacitance,

a second electrode of the fifth transistor and a second electrode of thesixth transistor are electrically connected to a gate electrode of thesecond transistor,

a gate electrode of the third transistor and a gate electrode of thesixth transistor are electrically connected to a second input signalline, and

a gate electrode of the fourth transistor and a gate electrode of thefifth transistor are electrically connected to a third input signalline.

The pulse output circuit according to the invention is a pulse outputcircuit comprising:

a first transistor having a first electrode electrically connected to afirst input signal line;

a second transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tofirst power supply;

a third transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tosecond power supply;

a fourth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe first power supply; and

a capacitance,

wherein all the first to fourth transistors have a same conductive type,

a second electrode of the first transistor, a second electrode of thesecond transistor and a first terminal of the capacitance areelectrically connected to an output signal line,

a second electrode of the third transistor, a second electrode of thefourth transistor and a gate electrode of the first transistor areelectrically connected to a second terminal of the capacitance,

a gate electrode of the third transistor is electrically connected to asecond input signal line, and

a gate electrode of the second transistor and a gate electrode of thefourth transistor are electrically connected to a third input signalline.

The pulse output circuit according to the invention is a pulse outputcircuit comprising:

a first transistor having a first electrode electrically connected to afirst input signal line;

a second transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tofirst power supply;

a third transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tosecond power supply;

a fourth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe first power supply;

a fifth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe second power supply;

a sixth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe first power supply;

a seventh transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe second power supply;

an eighth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe first power supply; and

a capacitance,

wherein all the first to eighth transistors have a same conductive type,

a second electrode of the first transistor, a second electrode of thesecond transistor and a first terminal of the capacitance areelectrically connected to an output signal line,

a second electrode of the third transistor, a second electrode of thefourth transistor, a second electrode of the eighth transistor and agate electrode of the first transistor are electrically connected to asecond terminal of the capacitance,

a second electrode of the fifth transistor, a second electrode of thesixth transistor and a second electrode of the seventh transistor areelectrically connected to a gate electrode of the second transistor,

a gate electrode of the third transistor and a gate electrode of thesixth transistor are electrically connected to a second input signalline,

a gate electrode of the fourth transistor and a gate electrode of thefifth transistor are electrically connected to a third input signalline, and

a gate electrode of the seventh transistor and a gate electrode of theeighth transistor are electrically connected to a fourth input signalline.

The pulse output circuit according to the invention is a pulse outputcircuit comprising:

a first transistor having a first electrode electrically connected to afirst input signal line;

a second transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tofirst power supply;

a third transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tosecond power supply;

a fourth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe first power supply;

a fifth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe second power supply;

a sixth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe first power supply;

a capacitance; and

a scan direction switch circuit,

wherein all the first to sixth transistors have a same conductive type,

a second electrode of the first transistor, a second electrode of thesecond transistor and a first terminal of the capacitance are allelectrically connected to an output signal line,

a second electrode of the third transistor, a second electrode of thefourth transistor and a gate electrode of the first transistor are allelectrically connected to a second terminal of the capacitance,

a second electrode of the fifth transistor and a second electrode of thesixth transistor are electrically connected to a gate electrode of thesecond transistor,

a gate electrode of the third transistor and a gate electrode of thesixth transistor are electrically connected to a second input signalline and a third input signal line through the scan direction switchcircuit,

a gate electrode of the fourth transistor and a gate electrode of thefifth transistor are electrically connected to the second input signalline and the third input signal line through the scan direction switchcircuit,

the gate electrode of the third transistor and the gate electrode of thesixth transistor are conductive to the second input signal line andnon-conductive to the third input signal line while the gate electrodeof the fourth transistor and the gate electrode of the fifth transistorare conductive to the third input signal line and non-conductive to thesecond input signal line, when the scan direction switch circuit is in afirst condition, and

the gate electrode of the third transistor arid the gate electrode ofthe sixth transistor are conductive to the third input signal line andnon-conductive to the second input signal line while the gate electrodeof the fourth transistor and the gate electrode of the fifth transistorare conductive to the second input signal line and non-conductive to thethird input signal line, when the scan direction switch circuit is in asecond condition.

The pulse output circuit according to the invention is a pulse outputcircuit comprising:

a first transistor having a first electrode electrically connected to afirst input signal line;

a second transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tofirst power supply;

a third transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tosecond power supply;

a fourth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe first power supply;

a capacitance; and

a scan direction switch circuit,

wherein all the first to fourth transistors have a same conductive type,

a second electrode of the first transistor, a second electrode of thesecond transistor and a first terminal of the capacitance are allelectrically connected to an output signal line,

a second electrode of the third transistor, a second electrode of thefourth transistor and a gate electrode of the first transistor are allelectrically connected to a second terminal of the capacitance,

a gate electrode of the third transistor is electrically connected to asecond input signal line and a third input signal line through the scandirection switch circuit,

a gate electrode of the second transistor and a gate electrode of thefourth transistor are electrically connected to the second input signalline and the third input signal line through the scan direction switchcircuit,

the gate electrode of the third transistor is conductive to the secondinput signal line and non-conductive to the third input signal linewhile the gate electrode of the second transistor and the gate electrodeof the fourth transistor are conductive to the third input signal lineand non-conductive to the second input signal line, when the scandirection switch circuit is in a first condition, and

the gate electrode of the third transistor is conductive to the thirdinput signal line and non-conductive to the second input signal linewhile the gate electrode of the second transistor and the gate electrodeof the fourth transistor are conductive to the second input signal lineand non-conductive to the third input signal line, when the scandirection switch circuit is in a second condition.

The pulse output circuit according to the invention is a pulse outputcircuit comprising:

a first transistor having a first electrode electrically connected to afirst input signal line;

a second transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tofirst power supply;

a third transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tosecond power supply;

a fourth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe first power supply;

a fifth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe second power supply;

a sixth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe first power supply;

a seventh transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe second power supply;

an eighth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe first power supply;

a capacitance; and

a scan direction switch circuit,

wherein all the first to eighth transistors have a same conductive type,

a second electrode of the first transistor, a second electrode of thesecond transistor and a first terminal of the capacitance are allelectrically connected to an output signal line, and

a second electrode of the third transistor, a second electrode of thefourth transistor, a second electrode of the eighth transistor and agate electrode of the first transistor are electrically connected to asecond terminal of the capacitance,

a second electrode of the fifth transistor, a second electrode of thesixth transistor and a second electrode of the seventh transistor areelectrically connected to a gate electrode of the second transistor,

a gate electrode of the third transistor and a gate electrode of thesixth transistor are both electrically connected to a second inputsignal line and a third input signal line through the scan directionswitch circuit,

a gate electrode of the fourth transistor and a gate electrode of thefifth transistor are electrically connected to the second input signalline and the third input signal line through the scan direction switchcircuit,

a gate electrode of the seventh transistor and a gate electrode of theeighth transistor are electrically connected to a fourth input signalline,

the gate electrode of the third transistor and the gate electrode of thesixth transistor are conductive to the second input signal line andnon-conductive to the third input signal line while the gate electrodeof the fourth transistor and the gate electrode of the fifth transistorare conductive to the third input signal line, and non-conductive to thesecond input signal line, when the scan direction switch circuit is in afirst condition, and

the gate electrode of the third transistor and the grate electrode ofthe sixth transistor are conductive to the third input signal line andnon-conductive to the second input signal line while the gate electrodeof the fourth transistor and the gate electrode of the fifth transistorare conductive to the second input signal line and non-conductive to thethird input signal line, when the scan direction switch circuit is in asecond condition.

In the pulse output circuit according to the invention, the scandirection switch circuit comprises:

a seventh transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe second input signal line;

an eighth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe second input signal line;

a ninth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe third input signal line; and

a tenth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe third input signal line, and

and wherein the seventh to tenth transistors have a same conductive typeas the first to sixth transistors,

a second electrode of the seventh transistor, a second electrode of theninth transistor and the gate electrode of the third transistor areelectrically connected to the gale electrode of the sixth transistor,

a second electrode of the eighth transistor, a second electrode of thetenth transistor and the gate electrode of the fourth transistor areelectrically connected to the gate electrode of the fifth transistor,

a gate electrode of the seventh transistor and a gate electrode of thetenth transistor are electrically connected to a fourth input signalline,

a gate electrode of the eighth transistor and a gate electrode of theninth transistor are electrically connected to a fifth input signalline,

the seventh transistor and the tenth transistor are conductive and theeighth transistor and the ninth transistor are non-conductive, when ascan direction switch signal is inputted to the fourth input signal lineand a reverse signal of the scan direction switch signal is inputted tothe fifth input signal line, and

the eighth transistor and the ninth transistor are conductive and theseventh transistor and the tenth transistor re non-conductive, when thescan direction switch signal is inputted to the fifth input signal lineand the reverse signal of the scan direction switch signal is inputtedto the fourth input signal line.

In the pulse output circuit according to the invention, the scandirection switch circuit comprises:

a fifth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe second input signal line;

a sixth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe second input signal line;

a seventh transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe third input signal line; and

an eighth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe third input signal line,

and wherein the fifth to eighth transistors have a same conductive typeas the first to fourth transistors,

a second electrode of the fifth transistor and a second electrode of theseventh transistor are both electrically connected to the gate electrodeof the third transistor,

a second electrode of the sixth transistor, a second electrode of theeighth transistor and the gate electrode of the second transistor areail electrically connected to the gate electrode of the fourthtransistor,

a gate electrode of the fifth transistor and a gate electrode of theeighth transistor are both electrically connected to a fourth inputsignal line,

a gate electrode of the sixth transistor and a gate electrode of theseventh transistor are both electrically connected to a fifth inputsignal line,

the fifth transistor and the eighth transistor are conductive and thesixth transistor and the seventh transistor are non-conductive, when ascan direction switch signal is inputted to the fourth input signal lineand a reverse signal of the scan direction switch signal is inputted tothe fifth input signal line, and

the sixth transistor and the seventh transistor are conductive and thefifth transistor and the eighth transistor are non-conductive, when thescan direction switch signal is inputted to the fifth input signal lineand the reverse signal of the scan direction switch signal is inputtedto the fourth input signal line.

In the pulse output circuit according to the invention, the scandirection switch circuit comprises:

a ninth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected tothe second input signal line;

a tenth transistor a first electrode electrically connected to thesecond input signal line;

an eleventh transistor a first electrode electrically connected to thethird input signal line; and

a twelfth transistor a first electrode electrically connected to thethird input signal line;

and wherein the ninth to twelfth transistors have a same conductive typeas the first to eighth transistors

wherein a second electrode of the ninth transistor, a second electrodeof the eleventh transistor and the gate electrode of the thirdtransistor are electrically connected to the gate electrode of the sixthtransistor,

a second electrode of the tenth transistor, a second electrode of thetwelfth transistor and the gate electrode of the fourth transistor areall electrically connected to the gate electrode of the fifthtransistor,

a gate electrode of the ninth transistor and a gate electrode of thetwelfth transistor are both electrically connected to a fifth inputsignal line,

a gate electrode of the tenth transistor and a gate electrode of theeleventh transistor are both electrically connected to a sixth inputsignal line,

the ninth transistor and the twelfth transistor are conductive and thetenth transistor and the eleventh transistor are non-conductive, when ascan direction switch signal is inputted to the fourth input signal lineand a reverse signal of the scan direction switch signal is inputted tothe fifth input signal line, and

the tenth transistor and the eleventh transistor are conductive and theninth transistor and the twelfth transistor are non-conductive, when thescan direction switch signal is inputted to the fifth input signal lineand the reverse signal of the scan direction switch signal is inputtedto the fourth input signal line.

In the pulse output circuit according to the invention,

the capacitance uses a capacity between the gate electrode of the firsttransistor and the second electrode of the first transistor.

In the pulse output circuit according to the invention,

the capacitance comprises two material selected from the groupconsisting of an active layer material, a material forming a gateelectrode and a wiring material.

The shift register according to the invention is a shift registercomprising n stages (wherein n is a natural number and 1<n) of the pulseoutput circuit,

wherein, in the pulse output circuit at the first stage,

a clock signal or a clock reverse signal is inputted to the first inputsignal line,

a start pulse is inputted to the second input signal line, and

an output signal from the pulse output circuit at the second stage isinputted to the third input signal line,

in the pulse output circuit at the m^(th) stage (wherein m is a naturalnumber and 2 m n−1),

a clock signal or a clock reverse signal is inputted to the first inputsignal line,

an output signal from the pulse output circuit at the (m−1)^(th) stageis inputted to the second input signal line, and

an output signal from the pulse output circuit at the (m+1)^(th) stageis inputted to the third input signal line, and

in the pulse output circuit at the n^(th) stage,

a clock signal or a clock reverse signal is inputted to the first inputsignal line,

an output signal from the pulse output circuit, at the (n−1)^(th) stageis inputted to the second input signal line, and

one of first power supply, a reset signal and the start pulse isinputted to the third input signal line,

and wherein a sampling pulse is outputted in order according to theclock signal or the clock reverse signal and the start pulse.

In the pulse output circuit according to the invention, the conductivetype is an N-channel type.

In the pulse output circuit according to the invention, the conductivetype is a P-channel type.

In the shift register according to the invention, the conductive type isan N-channel type.

In the pulse output circuit according to the invention, the conductivetype is a P-channel type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A through 1C illustrate one embodiment mode of a pulse outputcircuit according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a timing chart for driving the pulse output circuit shown inFIGS. 1A through 1C;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a shift register adding with a scan directionswitch function, which is one embodiment mode of a pulse output circuitaccording to the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a structure of a source signal linedrive circuit in a display device provided in accordance with theinvention;

FIGS. 5A through 5D illustrate in detail a circuit structure of a levelshifter in a display device provided in accordance with the inventionand views of its amplitude;

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate in detail a circuit structure of a buffer anda sampling switch in a display device provided in accordance with theinvention;

FIGS. 7A through 7C illustrate a shift register, which is an embodimentof the invention and whose structure is simplified.

FIGS. 8A through 8G illustrate examples of an electronic apparatus towhich the invention can be applied;

FIG. 9A illustrates structures of a conventional CMOS inverter and aload type inverter and FIG. 9B through 9E illustrate waveforms ofrespective input and output signals;

FIGS. 10A and 10B explain an operation principle of a pulse outputcircuit according to the invention;

FIGS. 11A through 11C illustrate a circuit structure and a timing chartof a conventional shift register;

FIG. 12 illustrates a whole outlook of a display device provided inaccordance with the invention;

FIGS. 13A through 13C illustrate operations of a shift register shown asan embodiment mode of the invention according to different pulse widthof a clock signal;

FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate a shift register to which an input of areset signal is added and its timing chart;

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate a shift register to which an input of areset signal is added;

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate a circuit structure of a conductivetransistor, which is different from an embodiment mode; and

FIG. 17 illustrates a timing chart for driving the shift register shownin FIGS. 16A and 16B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Embodiment Mode 1

FIG. 1 illustrates a shift register to which a bootstrap manner isapplied, which is in a mode of a pulse output circuit according to theinvention. In a block diagram shown in FIG. 1A, a block shown by 100 isa pulse output circuit for outputting one stage of sampling pulses. Ashift register shown in FIG. 1A comprises n stages of pulse outputcircuits. A clock signal (referred to as a CK, hereinafter), a clockreverse signal (referred to as a CKB, hereinafter) and a start pulse(referred to as an SP, hereinafter) are inputted to the shift register.FIG. 1B illustrates a detailed circuit structure, of the block 100. InFIG. 1B, a block 110 is a first amplitude compensation circuit and ablock 120 is a second amplitude compensation circuit. FIG. 1Cillustrates a farther detailed circuit structure. In FIG. 1C, the firstamplitude compensation circuit 110 comprises a TFT 101 connected topower supply VDD and a TFT 102 connected to power supply VSS, while thesecond amplitude compensation circuit 120 comprises a TFT 103 connectedto the power supply VDD and a TFT 104 connected to the power supply VSS.

An operation of the circuit will be described with reference to thecircuit diagram shown in FIGS. 1A through 1C and a timing chart shown inFIG. 2. An output pulse at an (m−1)^(th) stage is inputted (an SP isinputted at m=1, that is, at: the first stage) to gate electrodes of theTFTs 101 and 104 in a pulse output circuit at a certain m^(th) stage(1<m n). Then, the level reaches H, so that the TFTs 101 and 104 turn ON(refer to 201 shown in FIG. 2). Potential of a node á is thereby raisedup toward the VDD side (refer to 202 shown in FIG. 2), and the TFT 101turns OFF to be in the floating state when the potential reaches(VDD−VthN). Thus, a TFT 105 runs ON. On the other hand, the TFTs 102 and103 are OFF since a pulse is not inputted to gate electrodes of the TFTs102 and 103 at this time and the level is still L. Accordingly,potential of a gate electrode of a TFT 106 is the level L and the TFT106 is OFF; and thereby, the potential of an output node is raised uptoward the VDD side as a CK inputted from an end of an impurity regionof the TFT 105, that is, the first input signal line (1) reaches thelevel H (refer to 203 shown in FIG. 2).

A capacity means 107 is provided between the gate of the TFT 105 and theoutput node, and additionally, the node á, that is, the gate electrodeof the TFT 105 is in the floating state at that moment. Therefore, thepotential of the gate electrode of the TFT 105 is further raised from(VDD−VthN) by a bootstrap as the potential of the output node rises. Thepotential of the gate electrode of the TFT 105 then becomes higher thanVDD+VthN (refer to 202 shown in FIG. 2). Thus, the potential of theoutput node rises completely to VDD without being reduced due to athreshold of the TFT 105 (refer to 203 shown in FIG. 2).

Similarly, a pulse is outputted in accordance with a CKB at the(m+1)^(th) stage (refer to 204 shown in FIG. 2). The output pulse at the(m+1)^(th) stage is fed back to the m^(th) stage to be inputted to thegate electrodes of the TFTs 102 and 103. When the gate electrodes of theTFTs 102 and 103 reach the level H and the TFTs 102 and 103 turn ON, thepotential of the node a is reduced toward the VSS side so that the TFT105 turns OFF. Simultaneously, the potential of the gate electrode ofthe TFT 106 reaches the level H and the TFT 106 turns ON so that thepotential of the output node at the m^(th) stage reaches the level L.

After the above, similar operations are repeated to the final stage, sothat a pulse having VDD−VSS amplitude would be outputted in due course.At the final stage, a CK is kept to be outputted as it is since there isno output pulse at the subsequent stage, which is to be inputted from athird input signal line shown in FIG. 1C. Accordingly, the number ofstages of the shift register can be provided more than n so that surplusstages including the final stage can be treated as dummy stages, whenthe number of the output stages of a practically necessary samplingpulse is n, since the output at the final stage cannot be used as asampling pulse. The output of the final stage should be stopped in anymanner before a subsequent horizontal period starts. In the circuitshown in FIGS. 1A through 1C, a start pulse inputted to the first stageis also inputted to the third input signal line at the final stage to beused as a feedback pulse, and thereby, the pulse output at the finalstage is stopped just before the subsequent horizontal period starts.

The structure of an amplitude compensation circuit shown as the presentembodiment mode is only an example and other structures may be used.

There are other methods such that a reset signal is provided to beinputted to a third input signal line 1401 at the final stage during afeedback period so as to stop a pulse output as shown in FIGS. 14A and14B and that TFTs 1503 and 1504 for resetting are provided so that, whenthe reset signal is inputted, potential of a gate electrode of a TFT1505 reaches the level L and the TFT 1505 turns OFF as well as potentialof a gate electrode of a TFT 1506 reaches the level H and the TFT 1506turns ON in order to fix outputs at all stages at the level L, as shownin FIGS. 15A and 15B. The timing for inputting a reset signal can besame as that of the timing chart shown in FIG. 14B. In FIG. 15A, thethird input signal line shown by a mark * in the pulse output circuit atthe final stage is preferably connected to power potential on the VSSside, so that the TFTs 1501 and 1502 would be always OFF.

Moreover, in the case of a circuit shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B,potentials of the output node at all stages can be determined (theoutput node at all stages can be determined to be at the level L in thecase of the circuit shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B) by first inputting areset signal before the circuit starts output of a sampling pulse, thatis, just after the power supply turns on, although it is not especiallyshown in drawings. Such operation is effective for a stable operation ofa circuit in the case of a dynamic circuit.

Due to the operation described above, even in a circuit comprisingsingle conductive TFTs, an output signal having normal amplitude withrespect to an input signal can be obtained without amplitude attenuationcaused by influence of a threshold of a TFT connected to the powersupply on the high potential side. It is also a large advantage that astructure of the circuit shown in the present embodiment mode is notmuch complicated comparing with a conventional CMOS circuit.

Embodiment Mode 2

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an example that a shift register shown in thepresent embodiment mode of the invention is added with a scan directionreverse function. In FIG. 3A, a scan direction switch signal (LR) and ascan direction switch back signal (LRB) are added thereto comparing withthe circuit shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3B illustrates a detailed structure of one stage of a pulse outputcircuit shown by a block 300 in FIG. 3A. A body of the pulse outputcircuit comprising TFTs 301 to 306 and a capacity means 307 is same asthat of FIG. 1B, while a scan direction switch circuit shown by a dottedline frame 350 is provided between the second and third input signallines (2) and (3) and the body of the pulse output circuit. The scandirection switch circuit in this embodiment mode comprises TFTs 308 to311 and functions as an analog switch.

Gate electrodes of the TFTs 301 and 304 are connected to the secondinput signal line (2) through the TFT 308 and to the third input signalline (3) through the TFT 310, as shown in FIG. 3B. Gate electrodes ofthe TFTs 302 and 303 are connected to the second input signal line (2)through the TFT 309 and to the third input signal line (3) through theTFT 311. An LR signal is inputted to gate electrodes of the TFTs 308 and310, while an LRB signal is inputted to gate electrodes of the TFTs 309and 311. The LR and LRB are exclusively at the level H or L, and thus,the scan direction switch circuit in this embodiment is at the followingtwo conditions.

First, the TFTs 308 and 310 turn ON when the LR is at the level H andthe LRB is at the level L, the second input signal line (2) conducts tothe gate electrodes of the TFTs 301 and 304 and the third input signalline (3) conducts to the gate electrodes of the TFTs 302 and 303.Second, the TFTs 309 and 311 turn ON when the LR is at the level L andthe LRB is at the level H, the second input signal line (2) conducts tothe gate electrodes of the TFTs 302 and 303, and the third input signalline (3) conducts to the gale electrodes of the TFTs 301 and 304.

That is, a sampling pulse is outputted in order of first stage, secondstage, . . . and the final stage when the LR reaches the level H by asignal inputted thereto while the LRB is at the level L, and to thecontrary, the sampling pulse is outputted in order of the final stage, .. . , the second stage and the first stage when the LR is at the level Lwhile the LRB reaches the level H by a signal inputted thereto.According to the invention, such functions can be easily added byadditionally providing a simple circuit. In this embodiment, however, acircuit comprises the N-channel type of TFTs. In the case of using theP-channel type of TFTs to form a circuit, a condition that a signal isinputted to the LR means a condition that the LR signal reaches thelevel L, and a condition that the LR signal is at the level H means acondition that the signal is not inputted thereto.

The scan direction switch circuit in this embodiment is just an example.Similar functions may be added in another structure.

EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter.

Embodiment 1

An example of producing a display device by means of single conductiveTFTs is described in this embodiment.

The substrate having the pixel TFT and the driver circuit may bemanufactured in accordance with a known method, for example, asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,889,291 issued to Koyama et al. Also, it ispossible to crystallize a semiconductor film for an active layer of theTFTs by utilizing a metal element for promoting crystallization althoughother known methods can be used for crystallization. Such a method ofusing the metal element is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.5,643,826 issued to Ohtani et al. The entire disclosures of these U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,889,291 and 5,643,826 are incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a display device. A source signal linedrive circuit 1201, a gate signal line drive circuit 1202 and a pixelportion 1203 are integrated into one on a substrate 1200 to form adisplay device. A part enclosed by a dotted line frame 1210 in the pixelportion corresponds to one pixel. In an example shown in FIG. 12, thepixel of a liquid crystal display device is shown and controls electriccharges applied to one electrode of a liquid crystal element by means ofone TFT (referred to as a pixel TFT, hereinafter). Signals to the sourcesignal line drive circuit 1201 and a gate signal line drive circuit 1202are inputted from the outside through a flexible print circuit (FPC)1204.

FIG. 4 illustrates a whole structure of the source signal line drivecircuit 1201 in the display device shown in FIG. 12. This source signalline drive circuit includes a level shifter for a clock signal 401, alevel shifter for a start pulse 402, a scan direction switch type ofshift register 403, a buffer 404 and a sampling switch 405. The signalsfrom the outside are a clock signal (CK), a clock reverse signal (CKB),a start pulse (SP), a scan direction switch signal (LR, LRB) and analogimage signals (Video 1 to Video 12). The CK, CKB and SP in the above areamplitude-converted by a level shifter just after inputted from theoutside as signals of low voltage amplitude, and then, inputted to adrive circuit as signals of high voltage amplitude. A sampling pulseoutputted from a shift register at a stage carries out simultaneoussampling of analog image signals for 12 columns of source signal linesby driving the sampling switch 405.

FIG. 5A illustrates a structure of a level shifter for a clock signal(LS 1). In this structure, it is arranged that a single input type oflevel shifter circuits are disposed in parallel (Stage 1) whilerespective outputs corresponding to two inputs at buffer stages (Stage 2to Stage 4) are alternately inputted.

An operation of a circuit will be now described. There are three kindsof potential VDD 1, VDD 2 and VSS, in which VSS<VDD 1<VDD 2, as thepotential of power supply used in FIGS. 5A through 5C. In thisembodiment, VSS=0 [v], VDD 1=5 [v] and VDD 2=16 [v]. TFTs shown by 501,503, 506 and 508 in FIG. 5A may be in a single gate structure or in amultiple gate structure in which there are three or more gateelectrodes, although they are in a double gate structure in thisembodiment. Other TFTs are also not limited by the number of gateelectrode.

A CK having VDD 1−VSS amplitude is inputted from a signal input portion1 (1). TFTs 502 and 504 turn ON when the CK is at the level H, while theTFT 503 turns OFF when potential of a gate electrode of the TFT 503reaches the level L. Thus, a signal at the level L is outputted to anoutput node á. The TFTs 502 and 504 turn OFF when, the CK is at thelevel L. Accordingly, potential of the gate electrode of the TFT 503 israised up toward the VDD 2 side through the TFT 501 operating insaturation and the TFT 501 turns OFF when the potential reaches VDD2−VthN, so that the gate electrode of the TFT 503 is in the floatingstate. The TFT 503 thereby turns ON and the potential of the output nodeá is raised up toward the VDD 2 side. The potential of the gateelectrode of the TFT 503, which is in the floating state, is raised updue to an operation of a capacity means 505 as the potential of theoutput node á rises. The raised potential of the gate electrode of theTFT 503 is higher than VDD 2, and when it is also higher than VDD+VthN,the level H of the output node a becomes equal to VDD 2. Thus, the levelL of the output signal becomes VSS and the level H becomes VDD 2, whichcompletes amplitude conversion.

On the other hand, a CKB having VDD 1−VSS amplitude similarly to the CKis inputted from a signal input portion 2 (2). A level shiftercomprising TFTs 506 to 509 and a capacity means 510 converts amplitude,while a signal having VDD 2−VSS amplitude is outputted. to an outputnode á. Signals outputted to the nodes á and à have contrary polaritiesto the inputted CK and CKB.

In a level shifter used in the display device of this embodiment, bufferstages (Stage 2 to Stage 4) are provided in view of load to a pulseafter amplitude conversion. An inverter circuit forming the bufferstages is of a two input type and requires an input signal and itsreverse signal. In a buffer circuit shown by Stage 2 in FIG. 5, a signalinputted to a gate electrode of a TFT 511 has an opposite polarity to asignal inputted to a gate electrode of a TFT 512, That is the case forTFTs 516 and 517. The aforementioned level shifter output is here usedas a reverse input of each other's signals since the CK and the CKB areeach other's polarity reverse signals.

An operation of an inverter circuit forming a buffer stage will be nowdescribed. An operation of an inverter circuit comprising the TFTs 511to 514 and a capacity means 515 will be only described hereinafter indetail. Operations of other inverter circuits are similar to the above.

The TFT 511 turns ON and potential of a gate electrode of the TFT 513 israised up towards the VDD 2 side when a signal inputted to the gateelectrode of the TFT 511 is at the level H. Then, when the potential ofa gate electrode of the TFT 513 reaches VDD 2−VthN, the TFT 511 turnsOFF and the gate electrode of the TFT 513 is in the floating state. Onthe other hand, the TFTs 512 and 514 turn OFF when signals at the levelL are inputted to gate electrodes thereof. Following to this, the TFT513 turns ON and potential of an output node a is raised up toward theVDD 2 side. The potential of the gate electrode of the TFT 513, which isin the. floating state, is raised-up to higher potential than VDD 2+VthNdue to an operation of a capacity means 515 as well as theaforementioned shift register and the level shifter. Thus, the level Hof the output node a becomes equal to VDD 2.

On the other hand, the TFT 511 turns OFF when a signal inputted to thegate electrode of the TFT 511 is at the level L, while the TFTs 512 and514 turn ON when signals at the level H are inputted to the gateelectrodes of the TFTs 512 and 514. Thus, the potential of the galeelectrode of the TFT 513 reaches the level L and the potential of theoutput node á reaches the level L.

An operation of an inverter circuit comprising TFTs 516 to 519 and acapacity

means 520 is similar to the above, and a pulse is outputted to an outputnode ä. The pulse outputted to the output node ä has a reverse polarityto a signal outputted to the output node ā.

Following to the above, pulses are also outputted finally from a signaloutput portion 3 (3) and a signal output portion 4 (4) in accordancewith the similar operation in Stage 3 and Stage 4. In FIG. 5A, theoutput from Stage 2 is inputted to Stage 3 so that the logic would notbe reversed, on the contrary to the case of the input from Stage 1 toStage 2. There is no special limitation, however, in connecting stagesso long as the stages can be finally connected in accordance with logicof a pulse necessary for a user.

FIG. 5B illustrates amplitude conversion of a clock signal (CK).Amplitude of an input signal is from 0 to 5 [V], while amplitude of anoutput signal is from 0 to 16 [V].

FIG. 5C illustrates a level shifter for a start pulse (LS 2). In FIG.5C, by using a single input type of level sifter circuit (Stage 1),Stage 1 is followed by a single input type of inverter circuit (Stage 2)and a two input type of inverter circuit (Stage 3) since the start pulsehas no reverse signal. A circuit operation is similar to that of thelevel shifter for a clock signal, and therefore, omitted here fromdescription.

FIG. 5D illustrates amplitude conversion of a start pulse (SP).Amplitude of an input signal is 5 [V], while amplitude of an outputsignal is 16 [V].

FIG. 6A illustrates a structure of a buffer (Buf.) comprising a singleinput type of inverter circuit (Stage 1) and three stages of two inputtype of inverter circuit (Stage 2 to Stage 4). An operation of a singleinput type of inverter circuit is same as that of the level shiftercircuit except that amplitude of a pulse inputted is VDD 2−VSS and thatthere is no amplitude conversion between input and output pulses.

An operation of the two input type of inverter circuit is such that anoutput signal from a preceding stage is inputted as an input signal to aTFT 607 while an input signal to the inverter at a preceding stage isinputted to a TFT 606 as a reverse signal to an input signal. Excludedoperations of the TFT 606 and the TFT 607 enable potential of a gateelectrode of a TFT 608 to be controlled as well as the aforementionedlevel shifter circuit. In operations of the subsequent invertercircuits, an output signal from a preceding stage is used as an inputsignal and an input signal to a preceding stage is used as a reversesignal to the input signal.

FIG. 6B illustrates a structure of a sampling switch. A sampling pulseis inputted from a signal input portion 25 (25) so that twelve TFTs 621provided in parallel would be simultaneously controlled. An analog imagesignal is inputted from signal input portions 1 (1) to 12 (12) and theimage signal is written in a source signal line when a sampling pulse isinputted.

An inverter circuit and a level shifter among circuits forming a drivecircuit shown in this embodiment axe same as those described in aninvention filed as the Patent Application No. 2001-133431 by the sameinventors.

In a display device shown in this embodiment, TFTs constituting acircuit of a whole display device including pixel portions are producedonly by single conductive TFTs whose conductive type is same as that ofthe pixel TFTs (an N type of TFT, for example). Accordingly, it ispossible to omit an ion-doping process for adding a P type of TFT to asemiconductor layer, which can contribute to reduce in a manufacturingcost and to improvement in a yield.

It would be possible, of course, according to the invention to produce adrive circuit and a pixel TFT only by means of the P type of TFTsalthough the N type of conductive TFTs are used to form a display devicein this embodiment. In this case, it should be noted that an ion-dopingprocess to be omitted is a process to add-an N type of TFT to asemiconductor layer. Furthermore, the invention can be applied not onlyto a liquid crystal display device but also any devices so long as thedevices are produced by integrally forming a drive circuit on aninsulating material.

Embodiment 2

An example of a simplified structure of the pulse output circuit shownin FIGS. 1A through 1C in the embodiment mode will be described in thisembodiment.

FIGS. 7A through 7C illustrate a shift register of this embodiment. InFIG. 7A, a block 700 is a pulse output circuit for outputting a stage ofpulses. The shift register in FIG. 7A comprises n steps of pulse outputcircuits. FIG. 7B illustrates a detailed circuit structure. A blockdiagram of the shift register shown in FIG. 1A is same as that of theshift register shown in FIG. 7A and a signal to be inputted is also samein the both cases. This embodiment is different in that a pulse outputcircuit comprises four TFTs 701 to 704 and a capacity means 705 as shownin FIG. 7C. In FIG. 7B, a block 710 is an amplitude compensationcircuit. FIG. 7C illustrated a further detail. In FIG. 7C, the amplitudecompensation circuit comprises the TFT 701 connected to the power supplyVDD and the TFT 702 connected to the power supply VSS.

An operation of the circuit will be now described. A pulse outputtedfrom an (m−1)^(th) stage is inputted to a gate electrode of the TFT 701at an m^(th) stage (1<m n) (an SP is inputted when m=1, that is, at thefirst stage), potential of the gate electrode of the TFT 701 reaches thelevel H, and the TFT 701 turns ON. Thereby, potential of the node á israised up toward the VDD side. Then, when the potential of the node áreaches VDD−VthN, the TFT 701 turns OFF and the node á is in thefloating stats so that the TFT 703 would turn ON. On the other hand, theTFTs 702 and 704 are OFF since no pulse is yet inputted at that time ingate electrodes of the TFTs 702 and 704 and the level is kept to be L.Thus, potential of an output node is raised up toward the VDD side as aCK inputted-from an end of an impurity region of the TFT 703, that is,from a first input signal line (1), reaches the level H.

A capacity means 705 is provided between a gate electrode of the TFT 703and the output node, and the-node á, that is, a gate electrode of theTFT 703 is in the floating state. Accordingly, potential of the gateelectrode of the TFT 703 is further raised from VDD−VthN in a bootstrapmanner as potential of the output node rises. The potential of the gateelectrode of the TFT 703 then becomes higher than VDD+VthN, and thereby,the potential of the output node rises up completely to VDD withoutdecreasing due to the threshold of the TFT 703.

Similarly, a pulse is outputted at the (m+1)^(th) stage in accordancewith a CKB. The output pulse at the (m+1)^(th) stage is fed back to them^(th) stage to be inputted to the gate electrodes of the TFTs 702. and704. Potential of the node a is reduced toward the VSS side and the TFT703 turns OFF when the gate, electrodes of the TFTs 702 and 704 reachthe level H to turn ON the TFTs 702 and 704, and then the potential ofthe output node reaches the level L.

Similar operations are repeated to the final stage after the above, anda pulse having amplitude VDD−VSS is outputted in due course. At thefinal stage, a CK is continuously outputted as it is since there is nooutput pulse at the subsequence stage, which is to be inputted from athird input signal line (3) shown in FIG. 7B. It is not a problem,however, to assume a dummy stage as well as in the embodiment. In thisembodiment shown in FIGS. 7A through 7C, an output pulse at the finalstage is stopped just before a subsequent horizontal period by inputtinga start pulse to the third input signal line at the final stage. Inmethods other than the above, a reset signal is provided to be inputtedto the third input signal line at the final stage during a feedbackperiod in order to stop the pulse output, as described in paragraphs ofthe embodiment modes, or a reset signal is inputted so that the outputnodes at the all stages would be fixed at the level L during thefeedback period (as same as FIG. 15).

It is possible to say that the pulse output circuit shown in thisembodiment is suitable for a portion in which an output node is notrequired to hold a desirable potential for a long time, that is, aportion in which a drive frequency is comparatively high. It is becausethat the number of elements is few compared with the pulse outputcircuit shown in tine embodiment modes and the portions in the floatingstate are many daring a period in which there is no input/output of asampling pulse. Therefore, the pulse output circuit of this embodimentis preferably used for a source signal line drive circuit in a displaydevice.

Embodiment 3

Refer to FIG. 13 now. In the shift register shown in the embodimentmodes 1 and 2 and in the embodiment 2 of the invention, a period of thelevel H 1301 and that of the level L 1302 of a CK are same in length asshown in FIG. 13A, while a pulse having an opposite polarity to the CKis inputted as a CKB. The width of a sampling pulse is here equal tothat of pulses of the CK and the CKB, and thus, an output of thesampling pulse is such as shown by 1303 to 1307 in FIG. 13A. 1303denotes a sampling pulse at the first stage; 1304 denotes a samplingpulse at the second stage; and following to the above, 1305 to 1307denote sampling pulses at the third to fifth stages.

Input/output signals of the CK and the others have a leading edge inchanging from the level L to the level H and a trailing edge in changingfrom the level H to the level L. This may cause overlap of pulses, whichideally must not appear. The sampling pulses 1303 to 1307 shown in FIG.13A show that a leading period overlaps a trailing period betweenadjacent pulses.

Especially in the case of a display device for displaying an image bysampling analog image signals, the image signal sampling is sometimescarried out in wrong timing due to such overlap of the adjacent samplingpulses, which may cause deterioration of display quality.

In order to avoid such overlap of the sampling pulses, difference isgiven in widths of pulses of the CK as shown in FIG. 13C. In this case,a period of the level H 1308 is a little shorter than a period of thelevel L 1309. A period of the level H is a little shorter than a periodof the level L also in the CKB. Such difference solves the overlap ofthe leading period of the CK and the trailing period of the CKB or thetrailing period of the CK and the leading period of the CKB, andthereby, the overlap of the leading and trailing periods between theadjacent sampling pulses can be solved as shown by 1310 to 1314.

FIG. 1B will be now referred to again. In an operation of the pulseoutput circuit shown in FIG. 1B, a sampling pulse is outputted when a CKor a CKB is outputted to an output node during a period that the TFT 105is ON. That is, the CK or the CKB is outputted as it is from the timewhen the potential of the node a starts rising to the time when thepotential of the node á is dropped down to the level L by a samplingpulse at a subsequent stage. Thus, when the leading period of the CKoverlaps the trailing period of the CKB or when the trailing period ofthe CK overlaps the leading period of the CKB, wrong pulses sometimesmay be outputted before and after the sampling pulse.

The sampling pulse 1304 at a stage preceding the sampling pulse 1305 isinputted to the shift register from which the sampling pulse 1305 isoutputted, and from this moment, the CK or the CKB (the CK, in the caseof a stage that the sampling pulse 1305 is outputted) appears as it isin the output node, as shown in FIG. 13A. Therefore, a wrong pulse 1316occurs before the sampling pulse 1305 to be originally outputted asshown in FIG. 13B, when the CK is not completely reduced to the level Lat the tuning shown by 1315, that is, at the timing that the samplingpulse 1304 at the preceding stage starts leading. Thus, modulating thewidth of pulses of the CK and the CKB as shown in this embodiment canprevent such wrong operation from occurring.

Embodiment 4

In the examples shown in the embodiment modes and the above embodiments,a circuit comprises only the N-channel type of TFTs. A similar circuitcan only comprise, the P-channel type of TFTs, however, by interchangingthe high potential of the power supply with the low potential thereof.

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate an example of a shift register onlycomprising the P-channel type of TFTs. A block diagram shown in FIG. 16Ais similar to that of the shift register only comprising the N-channeltype of TFTs shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 16A, a block 1600 is a pulseoutput circuit for outputting a stage of sampling pulse. A differentpoint from the shift register comprising the N-channel type of TFTs isthat the high and low potential of the power supply is contrary as shownin FIG. 16B.

FIG. 17 illustrates timing charts and output pulses. Operations ofrespective portions have been described in the embodiment modes withreference to FIGS. 1A through 1C and 2, and therefore, are omitted herefrom detailed description. The level H and the level L are just contraryto the case shown in FIG. 2.

Embodiment 5

The invention can be applied in manufacturing a display device used forvarious kinds of electronic apparatus. A portable information terminal(such as electronic note, mobile computer and portable phone), a videocamera, a digital camera, a personal computer, a television and aportable phone are considered to be an electronic apparatus describedabove. Examples thereof are shown in FIGS. 8A through 8G.

FIG. 8A illustrates a liquid crystal display (LCD) comprising a basketbody 3001, a holding stand 3002 and a display portion 3003. Theinvention can be applied to the display portion 3003.

FIG. 8B illustrates a video camera comprising a body 3011, a displayportion 3012, a sound input portion 3013, an operation switch 3014, abattery 3015 and an image receiving portion 3016. The invention can beapplied to the display portion 3012.

FIG. 8C illustrates a note type of personal computer comprising a body3021, a basket body 3022, a display portion 3023 and a keyboard 3024.The invention can be applied to the display portion 3023.

FIG. 8D illustrates a portable information terminal comprising a body3031, a stylus 3032, a display portion 3033, an operation button 3034and an external interface 3035. The invention can be applied to thedisplay portion 3033.

FIG. 8E illustrates an acoustic playback machine, concretely an audioapparatus mounted on an automobile, which comprises a body 3041, adisplay portion 3042 and operation switches 3043 and 3044. The inventioncan be applied to the display portion 3042. The invention may be used ina portable or domestic audio machine although an audio apparatus mountedon an automobile, is shown as an example in this embodiment.

FIG. 8F illustrates a digital camera comprising a body 3051, a displayportion (A) 3052, an eyepiece portion 3053, an operation switch 3054, adisplay portion (B) 3055 and a battery 3056. The invention can beapplied to the display portion (A) 3052 and the display portion (B)3055.

FIG. 8G illustrates a portable phone comprising a body 3061, a soundoutput portion 3062, a sound input portion 3063, a display portion 3064,an operation switch 3065 and an antenna 3066, The invention can beapplied to the display portion 3064.

It should be noted that the examples shown in this embodiment are only apart and the use of the invention is not limited to the above.

In accordance with the invention, a drive circuit and a pixel portion ofa display device can only comprise single conductive TFTs and reducingprocesses for manufacturing the display device contributes to reduce ofa cost and improvement of a yield, so that it would be possible toprovide the display device at a lower price.

1. (canceled)
 2. A semiconductor device comprising: a first transistor;a second transistor; a third transistor; and a fourth transistor,wherein the first transistor, the second transistor, the thirdtransistor, and the fourth transistor have a same conductive type,wherein one of a source and a drain of the first transistor and one of asource and a drain of the second transistor are electrically connectedto a first line, wherein a gate electrode of the second transistor iselectrically connected to one of a source and a drain of the thirdtransistor and one of a source and a drain of the fourth transistor, andwherein the other of the source and the drain of the first transistor iselectrically connected to a second line to which a clock signal issupplied.
 3. The semiconductor device according to claim 2, wherein thesame conductive type is a P-channel type.
 4. The semiconductor deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the semiconductor device is a liquidcrystal display device.
 5. A semiconductor device comprising: a firsttransistor; a second transistor; a third transistor; and a fourthtransistor, wherein the first transistor, the second transistor, thethird transistor, and the fourth transistor have a same conductive type,wherein one of a source and a drain of the first transistor and one of asource and a drain of the second transistor are electrically connectedto a first line, wherein a gate electrode of the second transistor iselectrically connected to one of a source and a drain of the thirdtransistor and one of a source and a drain of the fourth transistor,wherein the other of the source and the drain of the first transistor iselectrically connected to a second line to which a clock signal issupplied, and wherein the other of the source and the drain of thesecond transistor is electrically connected to the other of the sourceand the drain of the fourth transistor.
 6. The semiconductor deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein the same conductive type is a P-channeltype.
 7. The semiconductor device according to claim 5, wherein thesemiconductor device is a liquid crystal display device.